Green Tech

Only 1 in 10 UK residents recycle their smartphones

A recent study conducted by Virgin Media O2 has uncovered that the average UK household has over £218 (€258) worth of unused mobile phones sitting idle. However, only 11% of Brits have traded in a device over the past five years. In response to this, Virgin Media O2 is urging people to recycle their old smartphones through O2 Recycle, highlighting the financial benefits while also promoting environmental sustainability by reducing e-waste.

After the holiday season—when many individuals receive new devices as gifts—the study found that nearly 10 million Brits remain unaware that their old tech could be worth money. Furthermore, 35% of respondents did not know where to trade in a mobile phone for cash, signaling a gap in consumer awareness about recycling options.

The findings also revealed that 24% of UK residents mistakenly believe that disposing of an old mobile phone in household waste, local waste collection centers, or skips is a responsible way to discard electronics.

Despite six in ten Millennials identifying as eco-conscious, only 45% of Gen Z respondents felt the same. Additionally, less than 8% of Gen Z consumers have recycled an old device in the past five years, indicating lower participation in sustainable disposal practices among younger generations.

On average, Brits take up to three months to trade in their old mobile phones, according to the research. However, experts from O2 Recycle warn that delaying trade-ins could lead to a loss in value, as unused tech depreciates over time. Those who trade in their devices sooner rather than later could benefit from higher cash returns. The O2 Recycle program is open to everyone, regardless of their mobile network provider. Since launching in 2009, the initiative has recycled over four million devices and returned more than £350 million to customers. In 2024 alone, O2 Recycle processed over 100,000 devices, either refurbishing them for resale or ensuring responsible recycling—keeping them out of landfills.

With a significant number of unused devices across UK households, Virgin Media O2 continues to advocate for increased smartphone recycling, helping consumers recover value while reducing electronic waste.

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